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#1
10-15-2004, 09:59 AM
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There has been plenty of discussion on here about cams for the engines from the 60's and 70's. Does anyone know if these same cams work well in the earlier engines? I have a '59 389 tri-power bored .060. I was wondering what cam would be good for street use in this engine. I know that the valves in these early heads were smaller so I'm not sure if the same cams would perform similarly in this old engine. Does anyone have any experience with this? I am looking for as much as power as possible while still being streetable. The car will have a 4 speed and a 3.23 rear. The engine currently has an aftermarket cam from the 70's but I have no idea what the specs on it are. I hope to be able to check that soon.
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1967 Firebird 400 ragtop, auto 1957 Chieftain Safari ,2 doors, 3 deuces and 5 speeds 1972 Olds 442, 350 , auto, survivor 1983 Buick S&S Hearse, cheap transportation and parts hauler 1967 Buick GS 400 4speed |
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#2
10-15-2004, 09:59 AM
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There has been plenty of discussion on here about cams for the engines from the 60's and 70's. Does anyone know if these same cams work well in the earlier engines? I have a '59 389 tri-power bored .060. I was wondering what cam would be good for street use in this engine. I know that the valves in these early heads were smaller so I'm not sure if the same cams would perform similarly in this old engine. Does anyone have any experience with this? I am looking for as much as power as possible while still being streetable. The car will have a 4 speed and a 3.23 rear. The engine currently has an aftermarket cam from the 70's but I have no idea what the specs on it are. I hope to be able to check that soon.
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1967 Firebird 400 ragtop, auto 1957 Chieftain Safari ,2 doors, 3 deuces and 5 speeds 1972 Olds 442, 350 , auto, survivor 1983 Buick S&S Hearse, cheap transportation and parts hauler 1967 Buick GS 400 4speed |
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#3
10-19-2004, 07:18 PM
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You have a heavy car and a high gear ratio. You need a cam just slightly larger than stock or your car will be a real "dog" off the line. Call one of the cam manufacturer's tech lines and be VERY TRUTHFUL with them about your car and they will recommend their best cam for your application.
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#4
10-20-2004, 06:53 PM
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I ran a 59 tri-power, 345 HP car back when. Really, the stock cam for the 345 HP is hard to beat.It was the 524886 (No.6) with 283 Intake Dur at .406 lift, 293 Exhaust with .406 lift. Overlap 60. Real strong on the street.
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#5
10-20-2004, 07:11 PM
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Back in the 1960's and early 1970's I also used that cam in my big cars. It worked great and only cost about $40 from Pontiac ( about half the price of other cams).
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#6
10-21-2004, 04:37 AM
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Thanks for the suggestions. Like I said, I am not sure what cam is in the engine now but the car used to have 4.56 gears so I suspect the previous owner was not very concerned with low-end performance. With the 3.23's that I have in it now I will need all of the low end torque that I can get to get all of this weight moving. The engine is currently out of the car. I did drive it before the engine was removed but the secondary carbs were disconnected so I could not really test the performance. From what I could tell it was seriously lacking in low end torque.
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1967 Firebird 400 ragtop, auto 1957 Chieftain Safari ,2 doors, 3 deuces and 5 speeds 1972 Olds 442, 350 , auto, survivor 1983 Buick S&S Hearse, cheap transportation and parts hauler 1967 Buick GS 400 4speed |
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#7
10-21-2004, 05:28 AM
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Ahem !........."Back in the day" I used the #6 but advanced it 4 degrees in my 61 Bonny/4 speed car. The boat surprized a lot of Bow Ties,Mopars,& Blue Ovals. I had 3.42 gears with 2.54 first gear in trans. I have also used the "068"(212/225 @ .050) Pontiac cam with good results on the street.
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 ECM member. 2008 Outlaw Pontiac Drag Series Champion MANDRA Do it now fool! Life is short. 69 Grand Prix/3163lbs / IAII 535 w/ Tiger heads by Gaydosh....9.35@ 144 so far..  through mufflers. 1.26 60'. Going back to track with pump gas engine.... My 60 Ventura retired to street/strip duty.. |
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#8
10-21-2004, 03:35 PM
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The 886 cam is not available. Does anyone know a source? The closest I can find is an 068. Little bit hotter.
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#9
10-21-2004, 11:39 PM
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I think you would be happy with the 068. it was used on many engines from 1965 -1972. It will idle nice and give good power. just a thought. Steve www.pontiacheaven.org
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Hundreds of Pontiacs in Az "Real Pontiacs only..no corporate nonsense!" Facebook- Pontiac Heaven Hosting- 23rd annual Pontiac Heaven weekend- Phoenix pending due to covid Pontiac Heaven Museum in process Phil 2:11 |
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#10
11-13-2004, 11:22 AM
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Brian, I have basically the same setup you have with a 60, 389, 0.030 over, dual afb's and a big ol' 041 ram-air cam. I'm using a close ratio muncie with 3.23's also but it's running Rhoades lifters and the package is in a feather weight old Willys pickup. I don't yet have it on the road..I'll let ya know this spring how it all performs together on the street. I can't wait!
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Roll around in the excitement |
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#11
11-14-2004, 12:28 PM
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A poncho engine in a Willys? That sounds way cool.
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1967 Firebird 400 ragtop, auto 1957 Chieftain Safari ,2 doors, 3 deuces and 5 speeds 1972 Olds 442, 350 , auto, survivor 1983 Buick S&S Hearse, cheap transportation and parts hauler 1967 Buick GS 400 4speed |
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